Synthesis and structural characterization of an alternating double aquo-bridged and single cyano-bridged polymeric barium–iron complex: {[Ba2(phen)4(H2O)6Fe(CN)6]·Cl·2(phen)·3H2O}n

A new alternating double aquo-bridged and single cyano-bridged polymeric complex {[Ba₂(phen)₄(H₂O)₆Fe(CN)₆]·Cl·2(phen)·3H₂O}_n (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In the crystal structure the two centrosymmetric [Ba₂(phen)₄(H₂O)₆] units are bridged through two trans CN groups of [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ ion, which results in the formation of a zig-zag polymeric chain. In each [Ba₂(phen)₄(H₂O)₆] unit, the two Ba centers are joined by double aquo bridges. Both the Ba atoms are 9-coordinated with distorted mono-capped square antiprismatic geometry. An elaborate hydrogen bonding system holds the parallel polymeric chains together.     

An unique stair-like infinite chain polymer containing dimeric N2S3 square-pyramidal iron(III) complex

A one-dimensional stair-like coordination polymer, [Fe₂L₂Na₂(CH₃CN)₂(Et₂O)₂]_n {1, where L⁴⁻ = N,N’-bis-(2-mercaptophenyl)-2-methyl-2-[(2-methylthio)phenylmethyl] malonyl diamide}, was produced from the one-pot reaction of iron(III) chloride with 2-methyl-2-[(2-methylthio)phenylmethyl] malonyl chloride, 2-aminobenzenethiol and sodium hydride in DMF solution, and was structurally characterized. The dimeric pentacoordinate Fe(III) anionic units are linked by two bridging four-coordinate Na⁺ cations. Each trivalent iron atom is equatorially coordinated by two deprotonated carboxamido N and S atoms of the ligand. The bridging S atom, occupying the axial position, accomplishes the square-pyramidal geometry of iron center. The coordination environment is very similar to the unmodified active site of Fe-containing nitrile hydratase. In addition, the electronic and magnetic properties of this dimeric complex are included in this report.     

A new type of supramolecular assembly consisting of crown ether complex cation and a polyoxometalate anion: Synthesis and crystal structure of [Na(C20H24O6)(CH3CN)2]2[Mo6O19] · 4CH3CN

A novel supramolecular assembly consisting of sodium-dibenzo-18-crown-6(DB18C6) complex cation [Na(C₂₀H₂₄O₆)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and isopolyanion [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ has been demonstrated in the 3D structure of [Na(C₂₀H₂₄O₆)(CH₃CN)₂]₂[Mo₆O₁₉] · 4CH₃CN (1). Weak intermolecular forces (C–HO hydrogen bonds) between isopolyanion and crown ether play a significant role in the construction of supramolecular framework in the crystal structure of 1. Compound 1 has been characterized in the solid state by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, CHN analysis, and TGA.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a novel co-ordination polymer [Co(BTB)2(NCS)2]n

A novel polymeric cobalt(II) complex with flexible ligand, [Co(BTB)₂(NCS)₂]_n 1 {BTB = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane} has been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well as with elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The complex 1 consists of two discrete constituents, A and B, with the same chemical formula [Co(BTB)₂(NCS)₂] but different connecting mode. The six-co-ordination of Co²⁺ in A and B is in a distorted octahedral environment formed by four nitrogen atoms of the triazoles and two nitrogen atoms from two trans thiocyanato ligands. The structures of A and B demonstrate a one-dimensional neutral looped chain through two BTB-bridges and a two-dimensional network in which four BTB bridge four Co(II) atoms, respectively. A and B interpenetrate in an inclined fashion. The flexible BTB ligand exhibits three different configurations in 1.     

An intertwined double chain constructed by [SiMo12O40] clusters and unusual [Cu2(DF)2H2O] dimers

A new compound, {[Cu₂(DF)₂H₂O]₂SiMo₁₂O₄₀} (1) (DF = 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by routine methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, all the DF only adopt the unusual bidentate coordination mode for the first time coordinating to Cu atoms to form copper-dimers which link [SiMo₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ clusters obtaining an intertwined double chain. Furthermore, the luminescent and electrochemical properties of the title compound have been studied.     

Supramolecular π–π assembly of a neutral [Cu(salen)] complex via the templating effect of an ionic inorganic complex Na2[Cu(mnt)2] forming a framework type material having well-defined channels

A classical ionic inorganic complex Na₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate = 1,2-dicyanoethylenedithiolate), that acts as a template in assembling neutral [Cu(salen)] (salen = bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) complexes forming a framework type arrangement, is accommodated in the channel formed in the crystal structure of a new type of host–guest compound [Cu(salen)]₄ · Na₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (1). The non-covalent supramolecular interactions among [Cu(salen)] complexes and between [Cu(salen)] and [Cu(mnt)₂]²⁻ complexes in the crystal lattice of 1 result in weak antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Cyanide-bridged mixed-valence copper(II/I) coordination polymers: Unique 7-connected sev-type 3D network versus anionic 2D host network encapsulated with cationic complex

Reactions of CuCl₂, K₂[Ni(CN)₄]/K₃[Co(CN)₆], and 5-amino-1H-tetrazole led to cyanide-bridged mixed-valence Cu(II/I) complexes, [Cu(H₂O)₃Cu₃(CN)₅] (1) and [Cu(H₂O)₄][Cu₄(CN)₆] (2).The uncommon semi-closed {Cu₂(CN)₃} dimmers in 1 are bridged by μ₃-C,C,N cyanide ligands to afford rare 1D centipedal-like chain motifs, which are further bridged by μ₂-C,N and metalloligand “CN–Cu(4)–CN” to finish sophisticated zeolite-like 3-D structure. Topologically, 1 is the first example of uninodal 7-connected sev-like cyanide-bridged network. Compound 2 consists of two-dimensional honeycomb-related anionic layers [Cu₄(CN)₆]^2 −, within which the [Cu(H₂O)₄]^2 + cations are intercalated into alternate interlamellar space. Compound 1 shows antiferromagnetic couple arising from pure ground-state configuration of Cu(II) mediated by diamagnetic bridges –CN–Cu^I–CN −. The inclusion compound 2 shows blue photoluminescence originated from Cu(I) center to the unoccupied π* orbital of the cyanide ligand (MLCT) charge transfer.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and third-order non-linear optical property of new three-dimensional metal-organic polymer [Fe2(μ10-btc)0.5(μ2-ox)0.5(μ2-O)1.5]n

One new metal-organic polymer formulated as [Fe₂(μ₁₀-btc)_0.5(μ₂-ox)_0.5(μ₂-O)_1.5]_n 1 (btc = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate, pyramellitate; ox = oxalate) has been synthesized by low-temperature solid-state reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, TGA, IR spectra and UV–visible spectra. Complex 1 presents the first 3D coordination network structure constructed by bridging btc, ox and O mixed ligands. In 1, carboxyl groups of btc are all deprotonated and they have a new type of μ₁₀-btc coordination mode. The third-order non-linear optical (NLO) properties of the title compound 1 were also investigated and they exhibit the reverse saturable absorption and self-defocusing performance with modulus of the hyperpolarizability (γ) 5.98 × 10⁻³⁰ esu for 1 in a 7.45 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ DMF solution.     

Ferromagnetic mixed tribridged dinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu2(OAc)2(OH)(dpa)2]PF6 · H2O (dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine): 3D superstructure based on hydrogen bond and π…π interaction

A new dinuclear complex [Cu₂(OAc)₂(OH)(dpa)₂] PF₆ · H₂O (1) is prepared and structurally and magneto-structurally characterized. The monocationic core contains one acetate in familiar bidentate η¹:η¹:μ₂-bridge and another in the rare monoatomic bridge along with one hydroxo intermediary. 1 packs through N–H…O and O–H…O hydrogen bonds and π…π interaction resulting a 3D supramolecular continuum and displays high-energy intraligand ¹(π − π^*) fluorescence and intraligand ³(π − π^*) phosphorescence in glassy solution.     

Ferromagnetic coupling in a novel dicyanamide-bridged dinuclear gadolinium(III) complex [Gd2(dca)4(OH)2 (NITpPy)4] (NITpPy = 4-pyridyl-nitronyl nitroxide radical)

The novel six-coordinated gadolinium(III) complex of formula [Gd₂(dca)₄(OH)₂(NITpPy)₄] (1) (dca = dicyanamide, NITpPy = 4-pyridyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl-oxy-3-oxide) has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is a dimer structure made up of double μ_1,5-dca-bridged gadolinium(III) ions and one terminal dca ligand; variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the occurrence of a significant ferromagnetic interaction directly spin polarization through the NITpPy–Gd(III)–NITpPy pathway with J = 11.56 cm⁻¹.     

Coexistence of two distinct axial ligands and their thermo-induced substitution in trans-[FeL2(NCS)2][FeL2(CH3OH)2](NCS)2 (L = 4-amino-3-(p-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole)

A novel iron(II) complex, trans-[FeL₂(NCS)₂][FeL₂(CH₃OH)₂](NCS)₂ (1) with 4-amino-3-(p-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (L) has been successfully synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallography analysis shows that 1 is the first example in the mononuclear triazole-based complexes consisting of two distinct molecules: trans-[FeL₂(NCS)₂] and trans-[FeL₂(CH₃OH)₂](NCS)₂ with each octahedral iron(II) center coordinated axial by two NCS⁻ ions in Fe1 but two MeOH molecules in Fe2. Moreover, 1 can lose two MeOH molecules at 220 °C to form trans-[FeL₂(NCS)₂] (2) which can be transformed to 1 when recrystallizing 2 in methanol. Both 1 and 2 are high-spin species in the range of 1.8–300 K.     

Synthesis and structure of [{As(NBu)3}2Li6] containing an [As(NBu)3] trianion

Attempts to prepare the [As(N^tBu)₃]³⁻ trianion by the reaction of As(NMe₂)₃ with [^tBuNHLi]_n (1:3 monomer equiv.) proved unsuccessful. However, if the reaction is carried out with an excess of ^tBuNH₂ (3 equiv.) the target complex [{As(N^tBu)₃}₂Li₆] (1) is obtained. This is the first example of a complex containing an [As(NR)₃]³⁻ trianion.     

Synthesis of a fluorescent gold(I) complex with a thiosemicarbazone, [Au2(3-NO2-Hbtsc)4]Cl2 · 2CH3CN

Direct reaction of gold(I) chloride with 3-nitrobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-NO₂-Hbtsc) in the presence of triphenylphosphine in acetonitrile has yielded ionic complex, [Au₂(3-NO₂-Hbtsc)₄]Cl₂ · 2CH₃CN (1). It exhibited an intense fluorescence band (λ_em) at 383 nm (λ_ex = 300 nm), and two bands of medium intensity at 413 and 436 nm (λ_ex = 350 nm). Complex 1 represents first example of ionic gold(I) complex with a thiosemicarbazone.     

The system iron(II)/mpzbpy mediates the H2O2 oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclooctene and the aerobic oxidative cleavage of ascorbic acid to oxalate

The iron complex generated in situ from Fe(CF₃SO₃)₂ and the new tridentate N ligand mpzbpy (mpzbpy stands for 6-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-6′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine) mediates the room temperature oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, and the epoxidation of cyclooctene to cyclooctene oxide. X-ray diffraction studies of single crystals obtained by reaction of iron(II) triflate with mpzbpy in methanol in the presence of ascorbic acid reveals the formation of a dinuclear complex, namely [Fe₂(mpzbpy)₂(C₂O₄)(CF₃SO₃)₂] (1), where two iron(II) ions are bridged by an oxalato dianion originating from the oxidative cleavage of ascorbic acid. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show that the two metallic centres are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, with a J value of −1.74(1) cm⁻¹.     

Ten-vertex osmamonocarbaboranes via arachno and nido {CB9} monocarbaboranes. Polyhedral contraction promoted by [OsCl2(PPh3)3] in MeOH and the crystal and molecular structure of [1-H-1,1-(PPh3)2-2-Ph-3-(OMe)-isocloso-1,2-OsCB8H7]

Reactions of [OsCl₂(PPh₃)₃] 1 with the [NEt₄]⁺ salts of the [6-Ph-nido-6-CB₉H₁₁]⁻ anion 2 and the [arachno-6-CB₉H₁₄]⁻ anion 3 each proceed selectively in methanol solution with the elimination of one boron-containing fragment from the starting cluster polyhedron, yielding together a short series of three novel 10-vertex hydridoosmamonocarbaboranes of isocloso {OsCB₈} cluster geometry.     

A novel disubstituted Lindqvist-type polyoxomolybdate [Te2Mo4O19] supporting two organic vanadyl moieties: Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structure of {[V(2,2-bipy)2]2(4,4-bipy)[Te2Mo4O19]}

The first example of disubstituted Lindqvist-type polyoxomolybdate {[V(2,2-bipy)₂]₂(4,4-bipy)[Te₂Mo₄O₁₉]} has been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by elemental analyses, XPS, IR, TG-DTA and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The structural analysis shows that the neutral molecular unit [V(2,2-bipy)₂]₂[Te₂Mo₄O₁₉] consists of a novel Lindqvist-type polyanion [Te₂Mo₄O₁₉]⁶⁻ supporting two vanadyl moieties [V(2,2-bipy)₂]³⁺, and such neutral molecules are joined together by π − π stacking interactions between the pyridine groups to form a two-dimensional grid-like network with non-coordinating “guest” 4,4-bipys encapsulated.     

Self-assembled chloro-bridged metallo-prismatic cations of the general formula [M6(η-C5Me5)6(μ3-tpt)2(μ-Cl)6] (M = Rh, Ir; tpt = 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine)

Two cationic pentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal-based hexanuclear complexes with trigonal prismatic architecture have been synthesised through a two-step strategy. The dinuclear complexes [M(η⁵- C₅Me₅)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = rhodium and iridium) react with 2,4,6-tri(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt) in dichloromethane to give the trinuclear complexes [Rh₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-tpt)Cl₆] (1) and [Ir₃(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃(μ₃-tpt)Cl₆] (2), respectively. Addition of silver triflate to 1 and 2 in dichloromethane connects two identical triangular panels to form the hexanuclear metallo-prismatic cations [Rh₆(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₆(μ₃-tpt)₂(μ-Cl)₆]⁶⁺ (3) and [Ir₆(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₆(μ₃-tpt)₂(μ-Cl)₆]⁶⁺ (4), respectively. Cations 3 and 4 have been isolated as their triflate salts and characterised by ¹H NMR, IR and UV/visible spectroscopy.     

Mild oxidation of alcohols with periodic acid catalyzed by [Ru(acac)2(CH3CN)2]PF6 in water

A facile [Ru(acac)₂(CH₃CN)₂]PF₆ (Hacac = acetylacetone) (1) catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones using H₅IO₆ as oxidant in water at room temperature is described.     

Formation of an unusual copper(II) complex from the degradation of a novel tricopper(II) carbohydrazone complex

An unusual copper(II) complex [Cu(L^1a)₂Cl₂] CH₃OH·H₂O·H₃O⁺Cl⁻ (1a) was isolated from a solution of a novel tricopper(II) complex [Cu₃(HL¹)Cl₂]Cl₃·2H₂O (1) in methanol, where L^1a is 3-(2-pyridyl)triazolo[1,5-a]-pyridine, and characterized with single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The tricopper(II) complex of potential ligand 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridyl ketone) carbohydrazone (H₂L¹) was synthesized and physico-chemically characterized, while the formation of the complex 1a was followed by time-dependant monitoring of the UV–visible spectra, which reveals degradation of ligand backbone as intensity loss of bands corresponding to O → Cu(II) charge transfer.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a novel cyanide-bridged double helical copper(I) coordination polymer [Cu3(CN)3(phen)]n

Hydrothermal reaction of CuCN, K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and 1,10-phenanthroline affords a novel cyanide-bridged copper(I) coordination polymer [Cu₃(CN)₃(phen)]_n (1). The complex displays an interesting one-dimensional neutral double helical framework with (phen)Cu–CN– side-arms as interchain bridges. The double helical chains are close packed in a parallel fashion, and the phen ligands stack in an interpenetrating mode, which leads to π–π interactions between parallel phen planes. The thermal stability and fluorescent property have also been investigated.